“FATHERLAND IN DANGER.”

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. ROTTERDAM, THURSDAY. The arrangements for mobilisation, or rather militarisation, of the whole German nation are proceeding apace. The announcement is expected to-day of the Federal Council’s decision as to whether general civilian conscription shall be effected by a simple order of that body, or by law passed through the Reichstag. Not that it matters which course is taken. The organisation is already taking concrete form, and, when the Reichstag is summoned, it will be faced with a scheme in being to which it cannot but give assent. The proposal certainly has a good Press, and controversy only rages on the question whether or not women shall be brought within the scope of the compulsion to be applied to all men up to the age of at least 60. There are inspired denials of any raising of the military service age, but this is regarded sceptically, in view of the emphasis now being laid on the necessity of forced civilian labour, in order to free more men far the army. Still, the main purpose of this revolutionary measure is increased production of war materials of every kind in the great effort to overtake that of the Allies.

Special energy is being concentrated on increasing both the personnel and materiel for carrying on the war in the air. A great effort will be made during the winter not only to recover the present enormous handicap, but to achieve predominance, the loss of which has caused more regret than anything else. The whole organisation of this branch of warfare has been overhauled. The first step is putting all sections of the service under a single control. This is partly indicated in the appointment of General Hoeppener, formerly commander of a reserve division, to the new post. He is now head of the department which will have absolute control over “the war in the air.” Aerial defence as well as attack are to be regarded as parts of one whole, and he also has responsibility for obtaining both the materiel and labour necessary to the maintenance and development of military aeronautics.

On the general question of compulsory service there seems to be a great measure of agreement. Any reluctance on the part of the public is essayed to be terrorised away by the cry, “Your Fatherland is in danger.”